Web domain - Some ISPs provide their own proprietary software that
Some ISPs provide their own proprietary software that you must install onyour PC to connect to the Internet. The software they provide is likely to runonly on Windows. Several free dial-up services don t work with Linux becauseof this fact. The proprietary software meddles with the operating system toensure that banner advertising isn t hidden or that you stay dialed in for onlya specified duration. If you re shopping around for an ISP, consider these questions: Can you get local dial-up numbers across the country and around theworld?If you travel often and need Internet access from different cities, this service is a handy money (and headache) saver. Does it provide technical support for Linux?If you re planning on run- ning Linux, this consideration is an important one. However, it doesn thave to be a deal breaker. Can you get a recommendation?Ask a friend. An ISP s best friend is anendorsement from a satisfied customer. Will you have trouble dialing in?Although a subscriber-to-line ratio of7-to-1 (an average of seven or fewer subscribers per line) or better isn tan entirely accurate measure of how often you ll get busy signals, it sprobably the easiest measure for consumers. Getting Information You Need from Your ISPMost reputable ISPs provide you with a customer information sheet after yousign up for its services. This sheet should include the following information atthe minimum: Local telephone dial-in numbers User login name User login password E-mail address E-mail outbound host or Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) server E-mail inbound host or Post Office Protocol (POP) server News host Whether your computer address will be Static:You always have the same IP address. Static addresses aremore common for servers than for desktops. If you re using static, 154Part II:Internet Now!